Ceiling construction



March 22, 1932. F, M. VENZIE 1,850,735

CEILING CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l MW ai-m;

ATTORNEY March 22, 1932. Y F M. VE UE 1,850,735

CEILING CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 27, 1.930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 22,1932.

Filed Feb. 27, 1930 F M. VENZIE CEILING CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR BY W W ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 22; 1932 FREDERICK M. VENZIE,-FPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA CEILING ooNsrRUcrIoN Application filedFebruary 27, 1930. Serial No. 431,682. 1

This invention, generally stated, relates to building structures and hasmore particular relationto a ceiling construction embodying so-calledplaster blocks.

5- It is another object of the present inventicn to provide a plasterblock designed for ceiling use requiringbut the services of one workmanor mechanic to suspend it, operating from a 'scafiold erected beneathchannel 1c irons forming part of the ceiling structure.

As at present practiced in the trade, it is customaryto suspendplasterblocks direct from what are technically known as floor members going tomake up the building struc- By this method of suspension of 1 ture.

plaster blocks the latter'are positioned prior to the laying of thefloor upon the floor members, which'is a very expensive procedure- Forexample, it frequentlyhappens that after the plaster blocks arepositioned with respect to said floor members it becomes necessar to.

take up and relay at least part of the oor in order to gain access tothe space between the floor and the plaster blocks for certain purposesas, for example, the laying of pi es or the stringing of electricalwires, and t iis' requires the services of at least two mechanics orworlnnen and also the provision of a tem porary scaifold, which cannotbe used for any other plasterers purpose. a I

According to the present invention I propose the adoptionof the methodof suspending fire proofing plaster blocks not directly from the floormembers but from plasterers channels, which in turn may be supported bythe floor members or by the floor itself, and this may be said to be theleading object of the present invention. j

'A further object of thepresent invention is to provide a plaster blockof this character whichis provided at one end with what may be termedpiv0tal-gravityhooks and which is provided atits oppositeend with whatmay be termed pivotal self-supporting hooks,

whereby a single'workman may first adjust to place the gravity hooks andthereafter position the self-supporting books with re-' spect to achannel iron- A further object of the present invention is toprovideaplaster block of the character stated which is of simple construction,adding little or nothing to the cost of conventional ceiling plasterblocks which, taken in connection with the fact that installation costsare reduced, makes for a most desirable commodity in the plastererstrade.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision'ofgeneral details of construction and in the arrangement, connection,andicombination of parts for attaining the results sought by, theforegoing objects.

lVith these and other objects in view hereinafter to appear, theinvention consists of the novel construction hereinafter described andfinally claimed.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the inventionwill bemore fully understood from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view inelevation, partly sectioned, illustratinga pair of ceiling plaster blocks in suspended position fromchannelirons.

Fig. 2 is a view in section taken upon the .75 line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a. top or plan view of one of the plaster blocks shown in Fig.1 detached.

Fig. 4 is an end view of Fig. 8 looking at the left hand end thereof. I

Fig. 5 is an end View of Fig. 3, looking at, the right end thereof.

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation illustrating a.

plaster block provided with a pivotal hook arranged for side-wisemovementtwith respect to a block.

Fig. 7 is a top or plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 6,'and v Fig. 8is a view partly in elevation and partly in section illustrating themanner of suspending plaster'blocks from plasterers channels as carriedby floor members and the floor itself. s

For the purpose of illustrating my inventionI h ave shown in theaccompanying drawings two formsv thereof which are at. present preferredby me, since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory'and reliable results, although it-is tobe' under: stood thatthe variousinst-rumentalities of,

which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized andthat my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement andorganization of the inst-rumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and referring first moreparticularly to Fig. 8, the reference numeral 1 designates a floor whichmay be concrete or other suitable material and is shown as beingsupported upon conventional technically known floor members 2. Accordingto the present invention I propose erecting a ceiling oiplaster blocks,below such floor, but instead of supporting said plaster blocks from theconventional fioorimembers 2, as .is commonly practiced; I: proposesuspending my plaster blocks from plastererschannelsin a manner topresently appear. At any desired 'heightbelow this floorrl, I, may.therefore arrange plasterers channels 10 which are relatively heavyfovitheisupportof other plasterers channels 12- which are. relativelylight. These heavy lasterers channels 10 may be supported directl'yfromtheconcrete floor by embedding thehooked end of a strap 3 in saidconcrete andboltinggthe other end of said strap 3 to saidchannellO, asate, see left hand side of Fig.8 These channels 10 may also be supportedfrom a floor member 2, if desired, by means .Of'il strap 5, bolted at 6with respect to said floormember and bolted at 7 to said channel:10,.see.right hand side of Fig. 8. Suspended from the channel by means ofhook-.

like'm'embers 11 are the relatively light plas-- terers channels 12',from which I suspend the plaster blocks 13 which have a:particulararrangement of pivotal hooks, about to be described. Thesehooks are arranged in pairs and inmFigs. 1, 2, 3,4,5,andv 8 one pair 141being what may be termed pivotal gravity hooks and the other pair 15being what may be termed pivotal self-supporting hooks. A descriptionwillbe given first of the pivotal gravityhooks 14;,bestseen at the lefthand end of Figs. 1 and-'2. Each hook .14 is arranged withinalongitudinally arranged slot 16 which is open at'its top and closed atits bottom. Thesehooks 14 are pivotally supported so that normally orprior to use they assume the horizontal position within the slots 16, asshown by:dotted lines in Fig. 1. In practice good results have beenobtained by pivoting the hooks14, which are of a'heavy grade of wire,upon a special supporting member, also of heavy wire, arranged acrossthe slots 16 at 17, whereby not'only is a very'cheap pivot arrangementprovided, but the plaster block 13 is amplysupported at each end by theparts 18: and the bottom by the part 19, it being understood that thesupporting member incli nes from the'top of the plaster blocktoward'theblock bottom, see Fig. 4. The selfsupporting hooks 15arepivoted at that end 5 of a plaster'bloek': 13 within-cutaway orslotted parts 20, closed at their tops and open at their bottoms, bestseen in Fig. 1. The slots are also longitudinally arranged and each isprovided upon its under face with a recess 21 which in the normal orunworking position of the hooks 15 accommodates the same as shown bydotted lines in Fig. 1 to maintain the hooks inlowered position. Thehooks 15 are pivoted within the slots upon members similar to thosesupporting the hooks 14- andthe same reference numerals designatesimilar parts in each case. The plaster blocks are provided with beads22 and grooves 23 which are arranged to cooperatively engage one withanother when the plaster blocks are in suspended position and the parts18'ofthe supporting members add strength and rigidity to these parts.

A description will now :be'given of the'manner of a single workmanerecting. a: plaster block 13 in accordance with the invention. Thesingle workman upon a scafiold erected beneath the channel ironstakesthe plaster block with the'hooks 14 in the position shown by dottedlines in Fig. 1 and swings the block around'its pivotpoint in thedirection ofthe arrow to cause the hooks 1410 engage over thechanneliron12: in which, position the plasterblock is left:toremain'pending'the workman disengagingrthe inner. endsrof the hooks15.from. the position shown by dotted lines-in Fig.1 and swingingoutwardly the same to verticalposition'for engagement over thechanneliron 12, as shown in full linesin said Fig. 1.. In this fashionthatiend 015a block '13 having; hooks: 14 .canbe temporarily positionedwhilst a workman: adjusts the hooks 15 to=suspendthe block;itbeingrunder" stood that the :pivotalfconnectionof block 13' with.respect to the hooks: 14-.15: readily per.-

mits a single workman t0- first adjustone'end,

of a block and then. moveoverthescaffold to adjust'ithe: other end ofthe block with respectito the channel irons 12. The'under face of theblock is providedwithrdepressions24- to readily accept a coat oiplaster; The-ends of the parts 18. are connected: together" by means ofhook-like'rods 25=embeddedinthis block 13. i

Inthe block '13 shown in F igs; 6" and 7 the hook. 26 is 'shownashavingzzpivotal relation with'a wireor rod 27 extended across an opening28 in the block, and the hook is normally retained; in1a::cavity.29*sothat before it can be-moved-aboutits pivot point it is necessary tofirst swingoutwardly orside-wisethe hook 26 and thereafter swing-thelatter about, its pivot point forengagement over the channel iron12, seeFig.6 in dotted lines. Thespaieeor cavity28' permits ofmovementgof-the'hook" about its pivot- :point- Thus; the hook. 26 inthe position shownin Fig. 6 is. selfsupporting in cavity; 29 andv can-only be:

caused "to engage over a channel, iron: 12 by firstzswingingthesameinasidwwise direodescribed, are used in conjunction With thehooks 26.

What I claim is:

1. A plaster block for ceilings comprising a body portion having at oneend slots to accommodate spaced gravity hooks and having,

at its opposite end slots to accommodate spaced self-supporting hooks,said hooks being arranged to engage over channelirons for suspendingsaid block, said slots being so arranged as to confine said hooksWithinthe boundary of said block in folded position of said hooks.

2. c A plaster block for ceilings comprising a body portion having atone end slots to accommodate spaced pivotal gravity hooks and having atits opposite end slots to accommodate spaced pivotal self-supportinghooks, said hooks being arranged to engage over channel irons forsuspending said block, said slots being so arranged as to confine saidhooks Within the boundary of said block in folded position of saidhooks. V

3. A plaster block for ceilings comprising a body portion having at oneend slots to accommodate spaced gravity hooks and having at its oppositeend slots to accommodate spaced self-supporting hooks, said hooksbeingarranged Within slotted portions of said block and being adapted toengage over channel irons for suspending said block, said slots being soarranged asto confine said hooks Within the boundary of said block infolded position of said hooks;

4:. A plaster block as described in claim 2 characterized by supportingWires, forming the pivotal connection for said hooks.

5. A plaster block as described in claim 3 characterized by the slotsfor the gravity hooks extending through the upper face of theblock andthe slots for the other hooks extending through the lower face of theblock.

' 6. In a ceiling construction of the char-- acter stated, a pair ofchannel irons, a plaster block arranged therebelow, and spaced pivotallydisposed hooks carried by said block at each end thereof and engagingover the tops of said channel irons, said hooks being accommodated inslots in said block, said slots being so arranged as to confine saidhooks Within the boundary of said block in folded position of saidhooks.

7. In a ceiling construction of the character stated, a relatively heavychannel iron, a pair of relatively light channel irons supported by saidheavy channel irons, a plaster block arranged therebelow, and spacedpivotally disposed hooks carried by said block. at each end thereof andengaging over the tops of said light channel irons, said hooks beingaccommodated in slots in said block, said slots being so arranged as toconfine said hooks Within the boundary of said block in folded positionofsaid hooks.

8; In a. ceiling structureof the character stated, a pair of channelirons, a plaster blockarranged therebelow, spaced pivotally disposedhooks carried by said block at each end thereof and engaging over thetops of said I channel irons, a bead upon one side of said block, and agroove upon anopposite side of i said block, said hooks beingaccommodated in slots in said block, said slots being soarranged as toconfine said hooks within the boundary of said block infolded positionof said hooks. v

9. In a ceiling construction of the character stated, a pair ofchannelirons, a plasterblock arranged therebelow, spaced pivotally disposedhooks carried by said block at each end thereof and'engaging over thetops of said channel irons, a bead upon one sideof'said block, a grooveuponan opposite side of sald block, and supporting rods for said block,

said rods being arranged adjacent said head and groove, said hooks beingaccommodated in slots in-s'aid block,:said slots being so arranged asto' confine said hooks Within the boundary of said blocks in foldedposition of said hooks.

10. In a ceiling construction of the character stated, a pair of channelirons, a plaster block arranged therebeloW, spaced pivotally disposedhooks carried by said block at each end thereof and engaging over thetops of said channel irons, a bead upon one side of said block,.a grooveupon an o posite side of said block, supporting rods or said block,

said rods being arranged adjacent said bead and groove, and a pluralityof plaster receiving ridges upon the under face of said block, saidhooks being accommodated in slots in said block,.said slots being soarranged as to confine said hooks Within the boundary of said block infolded positionv of said hooks.

11. A plaster block for ceilings comprising a body portion having at oneend spaced gravity hooks and having at its opposite end spacedself-supporting hooks, said hooks being arranged to engage over channelirons for suspending said block, at least one pair of hooks beingarranged for side-Wise as Well as end-wise movement, said hooks beingaccommodated in slots in said block, said slots being so arranged as toconfine said hooks Within the boundary of said block in folded positionof said hooks.

12. In a ceiling construction of the character stated, floor members, afloor supported by said floor members, a relatively heavychannel ironarranged beneath said floor members at right angles thereto, a pair ofrelatively light channel irons arranged in parallelism With the floormembers and sup ported by. said'heavy channel'iron, and a plaster blocksuspended from said light channel irons, by means of pivotally arrangedhooks, said hooks being accommodated in slots in said block, saidslots'being so arranged asto confine said hooks Within the boundarysofsaid block in folded position of said hoo 13. In a ceiling constructionofthe character stated, floor members, a floor supported by said fioormembers, a relativelyheavy channel iron arranged beneath said floormembers atright angles thereto, a pair of relatively light channel ironsarranged in parallelism with the floor members'and supported by saidheavy channel'iron, and a plaster block suspended from said lightchannel irons by means of pairs of pivotally arranged hooks, one pair ofsaid pairs of hooks being gravit hooks and the other of said pairs ofhoo is being self-supporting hooks, said hooks being accommodated inslots in said block, said slots being so arranged as to confine saidhooks Within the boundary of saidblock in folded position of said hooks.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

FREDERICK M. VENZIE.

